JPH0350168B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a gas safety system that can reliably prevent gas leaks in various gas combustion appliances.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, various safety devices for preventing gas leakage have been proposed. The mainstream of conventional gas safety devices is a device that detects leaked gas and shuts off the gas flow path by issuing an alarm and its signal. However, all of these safety devices function when a gas leak accident is already occurring, and the gas leak cannot be detected unless the leaked gas and the gas leak sensor encounter each other. There is no guarantee that it will be detected. Furthermore, depending on which gas leaks, an accident may occur at any time. Additionally, a system has been proposed that constantly monitors the gas flow rate and determines a gas leak based on the flow rate being higher than normal usage, but even in this case, it is difficult to determine whether or not there is an abnormal flow rate. Since it is said that it is difficult, it is difficult to say that any of the above-mentioned devices is perfect as a gas safety device.

Therefore, as an even safer device, a solenoid valve is installed in the gas flow path, and the appliance plug of the combustion appliance and the solenoid valve are opened in synchronization, and the solenoid valve is opened by detecting the flame burning in the burner and a heat sensor. A gas safety device has been proposed that prevents gas leakage by closing a solenoid valve in the event that the fire is extinguished.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] According to the gas safety device, if a gas outage occurs, most gas leaks can be prevented by closing the solenoid valve after a certain time lag. However, when the device stopper is opened, the solenoid valve opens and the gas flows out, so it is possible to intentionally cause a gas leak. For this reason, there is a problem that it is still not completely reliable as a gas safety device. All such problems have traditionally been taken for granted, but
This is caused by the fact that gas-burning appliances open the appliance valve, wait for gas to flow out from the gas supply source, and then ignite.

This invention was developed by changing the way of thinking about the conventional gas ignition order, and provides a gas safety system aimed at completely preventing gas leaks. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a solenoid valve for opening and closing a gas flow path on the gas supply source side, and connects the solenoid valve to the gas flow path downstream of the solenoid valve. The combustion appliance is equipped with a power switch that turns on and off the power supply circuit and starts the ignition device in conjunction with the appliance plug, an ignition device that starts and ignites the gas flowing out from the burner, and a sensor that detects the combustion of gas. A pressure chamber is disposed on the gas flow path between the solenoid valve and the appliance stopper, and is connected to the gas flow path, contains gas, and is equipped with a pressure switch. A control circuit is provided that combines and organizes signals from a combustion switch, a pressure switch, and a pressure switch, and in response to a signal from the switch that is linked to the opening of the appliance stopper, the igniter is energized. The outflowing gas flow path and the gas in the pressure chamber are ignited, and upon receiving a signal from a flame-sensitive switch that senses the combustion of the gas caused by the ignition, the solenoid valve coil is energized to open the solenoid valve.

[Operation] When the appliance stopper of a combustion appliance is opened, gas in the gas flow path and chamber downstream of the closed electromagnetic valve flows out from the appliance stopper and is supplied to the burner.
However, in order to satisfy this condition, it is a prerequisite that there is no defect in the gas flow path between the appliance plug and the solenoid valve. Defects in the gas flow path can be caused by holes, cracks due to scratches, incomplete connection of the gas supply system, or failure of the appliance stopper.When these failures occur, the residual pressure in the gas flow path is inevitably released and the appliance stopper must be opened. This is because no gas will leak into the burner. Simultaneously with the outflow of gas due to the opening of the appliance stopper, an ignition device is operated by a control switch interlocked with the appliance stopper, and the gas flowing out from the burner is ignited. Only upon receiving a signal from a combustion switch that detects the combustion of gas due to the ignition, does the solenoid valve open and gas is supplied to the burner from the gas supply side.

Therefore, the opening of the solenoid valve for supplying gas from the gas supply source is conditional on opening the appliance plug, igniting the gas, and ensuring that there are no defects in the gas flow path. Therefore, intentional leakage of gas becomes impossible. When gas is supplied from the gas supply source, the gas flow path and pressure chamber are filled with gas due to the gas pressure, and this state is maintained.

Next, when the appliance tap is closed, the flame goes out, and the flame-sensitive switch detects this extinguishment and sends a signal to the solenoid valve, which closes at the same time as the extinguishment.

Further, when gas is extinguished due to wind or the like during combustion, the solenoid valve immediately closes upon receiving the extinguishing signal from the flame-sensitive switch.

Even if gas leaks from the downstream gas flow path and pressure chamber of the solenoid valve when the combustion appliance is not in use, the amount of leakage is extremely small and it takes a long time to prevent an accident from occurring. Furthermore, even if the appliance stopper is opened in such a state, ignition is impossible because there is no residual pressure in the gas flow path and chamber, and as a result, the solenoid valve does not open.

[Embodiments] The present invention will be described in detail below based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

In the drawings, reference numerals 1 and 1a indicate a gas flow path, and 2 a solenoid valve for opening and closing the gas flow path 1 provided on the gas supply source side of the gas flow path 1. It is set in. Further, a combustion device (not shown) connected to the gas flow path 1a on the downstream side of the solenoid valve 2 includes a control switch 4 that is linked to the opening and closing movement of the device stopper 3, and an ignition device that ignites the gas flowing out from the burner 5. 6 and a flame-sensing switch 7 for sensing gas combustion.
A pressure chamber 10 having a chamber 8 for containing gas and a pressure switch 9 is provided in communication with the pressure chamber 1a.

The electromagnetic valve 2 has a valve body that closes the gas flow path 1 by the pressing force of a spring, and a solenoid that attracts the valve body against the pressing force of the spring, and the valve body is normally closed. is closed by the pressing force of a spring, and when the solenoid is energized, the valve body opens and gas is supplied to the downstream side.Such a solenoid valve 2 itself is well known, and a detailed diagram thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in the case of the small switch 4, it is turned ON by opening and closing the device plug 31 in conjunction with the opening and closing movement of the device plug 3.
Turn off. The ignition device 6 is a known ignition device in which a high-voltage current flows when energized, and the high-voltage current ignites the gas flowing out from the burner 5.

In addition, the flame-sensitive switch 7 usually uses a discharge pair that generates an electromotive force due to combustion heat, and amplifies this electromotive force to open and close a circuit, or uses electrical changes depending on the presence or absence of combustion flame. Since these are known techniques, illustrations and explanations will be omitted.

In addition, in the case of the pressure chamber 10, after the appliance tap 3 is opened, the gas flowing out from the burner 5 is ignited, and the burner 5 can be continuously supplied for a short period of time until the flame-sensitive switch 7 detects this. It has a chamber 8 for storing a sufficient amount of gas to produce the desired amount of gas.
A piston 12 is slidably provided within the chamber 8 and is biased by a spring 11 in a direction that compresses the interior of the chamber 8 . A bar magnet 13 is provided on the back surface of the piston 12, and a pressure switch (reed switch) 9 is connected to the bar magnet 1 in close proximity to the bar magnet 13.
It is designed to be opened and closed by connecting and separating 3. Note that this pressure switch 9 is turned ON in this state, focusing on the fact that the gas pressure in the pressure chamber 10 is always maintained at a predetermined level, and when it is turned OFF due to a decrease in the residual gas pressure, A signal is sent to the ignition device 6 and a control circuit 15, which will be described later, to prevent the ignition device 6 from operating and to prevent the solenoid valve 2 from opening. That is, this pressure chamber 10 has a chamber 8 that stores a sufficient amount of gas, and is set so that the pressure switch 9 will not turn off even if the pressure is reduced to some extent during normal ignition. This pressure switch 9
is turned OFF and will not operate. and,
As mentioned above, this pressure switch 9 turns OFF and operates only in the case of a gas leak.
It is dangerous to leave a gas leak and ignite it, and in such a situation, gas should not be used even if the amount of leakage is small, and the pressure switch 9 will prevent the system from operating in such a case. Lock it like this.

14 is a power source; 15 is a control circuit that combines and organizes signals from the above-mentioned gas switch 4, flame-sensitive switch 7, and pressure switch 9 to perform their respective functions; The ignition device 6 is energized by the ON/OFF operation of the control switch 4 due to the opening operation, and a high voltage current is generated, and due to the residual pressure in the gas flow path 1a and the pressure chamber 10, an ignition spark is emitted to the gas flowing out from the burner 5, and ignition is performed. . The signal from the flame-sensitive switch 7, which detects the combustion of gas due to the ignition and is transmitted, energizes the solenoid of the solenoid valve 2, causing the valve body to be attracted, and gas is supplied to the gas flow path 1a from the supply source side. It's like a summer. 16 is a power unit.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

Assuming that the combustion appliance and various switches are normal, when the combustion appliance is not in use, that is, when the appliance stopper 3 is closed, the combustion switch 4 is closed, so the ignition device 6 and control circuit 15 are closed. A live line is shorted to COM. Therefore, no voltage is generated, the circuit remains in the OFF state, and the various parts do not operate, so the solenoid valve 2 does not open. In this state, residual pressure in the gas in the gas passage 1a and the chamber 8 of the pressure chamber 10 is sealed and stored at a predetermined pressure.

Next, when the appliance stopper 3 is opened to use the combustion appliance, the cooker switch 4 is activated in conjunction with the opening of the appliance stopper 3.
opens, a voltage is generated in the control circuit 15 and the connection line to the ignition device 6, and the ignition device 6 causes a high-voltage current to flow into the ignition head 17, which is stored in the gas flow path 1a and in the chamber 8 of the pressure chamber 10. Due to the residual pressure and the decrease in gas pressure in the chamber 8 of the pressure chamber 10, the elastic force of the spring 11 causes the piston 1 to
2 moves, gas flows out from the burner 5, and this flowed out gas is ignited. Due to this ignition, the combustion switch 7 senses the combustion of the gas and issues a signal.The power unit 16 intercepts this signal and opens the electromagnetic valve 2, allowing gas to flow from the gas supply source side to the gas flow path 1.
a, and is sent to the burner 5 and flows out to continue combustion.

Note that a signal indicating combustion is sent to the power unit 16 from the control circuit 15, but since this signal is combined with other signals and arranged, there is a slight time delay. The combustion detection signal is sent directly from the combustion switch 7 to the power unit 1.
6, the solenoid valve is opened instantly.
Furthermore, the control circuit 15 sends a combustion detection signal to the ignition device 6, but this is because once combustion occurs, the ignition device 6 does not need to be operated. It is designed to stop operating.

When the electromagnetic valve 2 is open and a flame is normally present in the burner 5, a predetermined amount of gas is stored in the chamber 8 of the pressure chamber 10 at its own pressure and is maintained. When the use of the combustion appliance is finished and the appliance plug 3 is closed, the power switch 4 is closed, and the voltage of the line to the ignition device 6 and control circuit 15 is shorted to COM and disappears, resulting in the entire circuit being turned off. Solenoid valve 2 is closed and the circuit does not operate.

Next, the operation in the case of an abnormal situation will be explained.

If the flame goes out due to wind or the like during combustion, the flame sensitive switch 7 is turned off and the solenoid valve 2 is immediately closed, but since the combustion switch 4 is open, the ignition device 6 is activated immediately to re-ignite the flame.
When re-ignition is performed, the flame-sensitive switch 7 senses combustion and the solenoid valve 2 is opened, and gas is again supplied to the burner 5 from the gas supply source to continue combustion, as in the initial operation. If the burner goes out and cannot be re-ignited, the solenoid valve 2 will not open and the gas will not flow out of the burner 5.

As another embodiment, the circuit may be configured so that the ignition device 6 does not restart the ignition when the flame goes out, or the solenoid valve 2 may be configured so that the solenoid valve 2 does not open even if the ignition occurs again. It's okay.

Next, when the appliance plug 3 is closed, that is, when not in use, no matter what happens, all the circuits do not operate and the solenoid valve 2 never opens. When not in use, the gas flow path 1a between the appliance stopper 3 and the solenoid valve 2 and the chamber 8 of the pressure chamber 10 are filled with gas at its own pressure. If the chamber 8, instrument plug 3, and gas flow path 1a are incompletely attached and detached, the inside of the pipe and the pressure chamber 10
The residual pressure in the chamber 8 disappears, that is, the gas escapes, and even if the appliance plug 3 is opened, the gas does not flow into the burner 5, and even if the ignition device 6 is activated and the ignition operation is performed, ignition cannot be started, resulting in combustion. Since the switch 7 cannot detect combustion, the solenoid valve 2 will not open, and the gas will not flow from the gas supply source side to the gas flow path 1a, so there is no possibility of gas leakage.

Although the electromagnetic valve 2 is provided outdoors in the above embodiment, it is not necessarily limited to this embodiment, and it goes without saying that it may be provided indoors. just,
If the solenoid valve 2 is installed outdoors, even if a failure occurs on the upstream side of the solenoid valve 2 and a gas leak occurs, the leaked gas is outdoors, so an accident due to the gas leak is unlikely to occur. However, the effect of preventing remorse for the accident is greater.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the gas safety system according to the present invention includes a solenoid valve that opens and closes a gas flow path on the gas supply source side, and a combustion appliance connected to the gas flow path downstream of this solenoid valve. is connected to the appliance stopper and connects the power circuit.
A small switch that turns on and off and starts the ignition device, an ignition device that starts and ignites the gas flowing out from the burner with the small switch, and a flame-sensitive switch that detects combustion of the gas, and
A pressure chamber communicating with the gas flow path, containing gas, and equipped with a pressure switch is provided on the gas flow path between the solenoid valve and the appliance stopper, and the pressure chamber is connected to the gas flow path, and is equipped with a pressure switch. A control circuit is provided which combines and organizes each signal, and receives a signal from a kettle switch that is linked when the appliance tap is opened, and energizes the igniter, thereby creating a gas flow path and a pressure chamber that flow out from the burner when the appliance tap is rotated. The solenoid valve coil is energized to open the solenoid valve in response to a signal from a flame-sensitive switch that detects combustion of the gas caused by the ignition and opens the solenoid valve. When the stopper is opened, the gas in the gas flow path and pressure chamber is supplied and flows out, and the gas flowing out from the burner is ignited by the igniter, which sends a signal to the combustion switch that detects the combustion of gas due to the ignition. In response, the solenoid valve opens and gas is supplied to the burner from the gas supply source. Therefore, the opening of the electromagnetic valve for supplying gas from the gas supply source side is conditioned on the ignition of the gas, which makes it impossible to intentionally leak out the gas. In addition, in the event that the gas goes out during combustion, the solenoid valve closes in response to a signal from the flame-sensitive switch, which reliably prevents gas leakage. If there is a gas leak,
The amount of leakage is so small that it will not cause an accident, and even if the appliance stopper is opened in such a state, there will be no gas supplied from the pressure chamber and therefore no ignition will occur, so the solenoid valve will not open. As described above, in the gas safety system according to the present invention, the solenoid valve does not open and gas is not supplied except during normal use, so situations such as gas leaks are completely eliminated, and accidents caused by gas leaks can be eliminated. It has excellent effects.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. 1...Gas flow path, 2...Solenoid valve, 3...Appliance plug, 4...Kotuku switch, 5...Burner, 6
...Ignition device, 7...Flame sensitive switch, 8...Chamber,
9...Pressure switch, 10...Pressure chamber,
15...Control circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A solenoid valve that opens and closes the gas flow path is provided on the gas supply source side, and a combustion appliance connected to the gas flow path downstream of this solenoid valve has a power supply circuit connected to it in conjunction with the appliance plug.
A small switch that turns on and off and starts the ignition device, an ignition device that starts and ignites the gas flowing out from the burner with the small switch, and a flame-sensitive switch that detects combustion of the gas, and
A pressure chamber communicating with the gas flow path, containing gas, and equipped with a pressure switch is provided on the gas flow path between the solenoid valve and the appliance stopper, and the pressure chamber is connected to the gas flow path, and is equipped with a pressure switch. A control circuit is provided for assembling and arranging each of the signals, and receives a signal from a gas switch that is activated when the appliance tap is opened, and energizes the igniter, thereby creating a gas flow path and a pressure chamber that flow out from the burner when the appliance tap opens. A gas safety system that ignites the gas inside the tank, detects combustion of the gas caused by the ignition, and receives a signal from a flame-sensitive switch, which excites a solenoid valve coil and opens the solenoid valve.